Comparative study between enoxaparin and salicylic acetyl acid in antithrombotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION There is still controversy regarding thrombo-prophylaxis for the reduction of thromboembolic disease in major orthopedic surgery. OBJECTIVE To answer the following question: is there a difference in the effectiveness and safety in the antithrombotic management of patients with a traditional regimen of enoxaparin against acetyl salicylic acid? MATERIAL AND METHODS The surgeries were performed by 3 surgeons; the sample was randomized and the patients were subjected to the study criteria. We evaluated efficacy and safety as well as the need for readmission and secondary variables such as infection, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), cerebral vascular disease and death with a follow-up of 90 days. RESULTS The total sample was 402 patients; 214 in the enoxaparin group and 188 in the aspirin group. There were 5 cases (1.24%) with thromboembolic disease, 3 (1.4%) enoxaparin and 2 (1.06%) aspirin without significant difference (p = 0.23). In terms of safety, major bleeding was zero in both groups, with minor bleeding in 7 patients (1.74%), 4 (1.86%) were from the enoxaparin group and 3 (1.59%) from the aspirin group without significant differences (p = 0.82). Secondary outcomes showed 5 (1.24%) superficial surgical wound infections and one AMI in the first 30 days of the procedure in the enoxaparin group. CONCLUSION Aspirin as monotherapy is safe, effective in antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients operated on total knee arthroplasty.